CHAPTER 143.

State Departments, Institutions, and Commissions.

ARTICLE 31.
Tort Claims against State Departments and Agencies.

Section

§143-296. Powers of Industrial Commission; deputies.

The members of the Industrial Commission, or a deputy thereof, shall have power to
issue subpoenas, administer oaths, conduct hearings, take evidence, enter orders,
opinions, and awards based thereon, punish for contempt, and issue writs of habeas corpus
ad testificandum pursuant to G.S. 97-101.1.
The Industrial Commission is authorized to appoint deputies and clerical assistants to
carry out the purpose and intent of this Article, and such deputy or deputies are hereby
vested with the same power and authority to hear and determine tort claims against State
departments, institutions, and agencies as is by this Article vested in the members of the
Industrial Commission. Such deputy or deputies shall also have and are hereby vested with
the same power and authority to hear and determine cases arising under the Workers'
Compensation Act when assigned to do so by the Industrial Commission. The Commission may
order parties to participate in mediation, under rules substantially similar to those
approved by the Supreme Court for use in the Superior Court division, except the
Commission shall determine the manner in which payment of the costs of the mediated
settlement conference is assessed. (1951, c. 1059, s. 6; 1979, c. 714, s. 2; 1993, c. 399,
s. 2; c. 321, s. 25(b); 1995, c. 358, s. 8(a); c. 437, s. 6(a); c. 467, s. 5(a); c. 507,
s. 25.13; 1998-217, s. 31.1(b).)